Automatic carton closing machine



Feb. 3, 1953 B. s. HARRINGTON 7 AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 13, 1948 fl LH H H H Hl l hl l l l I l lH H Feb. 3, 1953 B. s. HARRINGTON AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 13, 1948 Ii FL Wm NW H 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 BL- S. HARRINGTON AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE zlWl-Illll [I- Feb. 3, 1953 Filed Mair-ch 13, 1948 Feb. 3, 1953 B. $.HARRINGTON AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 13, 1948 LT 11 U n. lllrlll ifdllrllll Feb. 3, 1953 B. s. HARRINGTON AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE ll Sheefs-Sheet 6 Filed March 13, 1948 w w m J Feb. 3, 1953 B. s. HARRINGTON 2,627,152

AUTOMATIC CARTON cwsmc MACHINE Fil led March 15, 1948 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 Hum;

Feb. 3, 1953 B. S. HARRINGTON AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 15, 1948 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 IIHI Feb. 3, 1953 B. s. HARRINGTON 2,627,

AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1948 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 JZZ/6/Zf07" 36/2235 5% "52592872,

Feb. 3, 1953 B. s. HARRINGTON 2,627,152

AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 15, 1948 ll Sheets-Sheet l0 116 A LZ7 F F" I l 1 i I 3 1 I I l r i \j g C C 2 59 31 55 4.9 I 82 FYI 920 I l l I .160 1 figrfz'e ifi ar/w'zgzm C M Feb. 3, 1953 B. s. HARRINGTON AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed March 15, 1948 Anllllllll) "IIIIHHH I l flag/0 2 62:7. 4222949 Patented Feb. 3, 1953 UNITE SEATEIS Z dZ'LlEZ Bertie S. Harrington, Chicago, 111., assignor to Armour and Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 13, 1948, Serial No. 14,672

60 Claims.

In general the present invention relates tomachines for closing cartons of the type that is used in merchandising lard, vegetable compound, shortening or any like congealable substance and comprises: (1) a carton proper which is formed of waxed comparatively stiff cardboard and consists of a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a pair of end walls with hinged flaps at their upper margins, and a cover that is-hinged to the upper margin of the back wall and embodies a tongue at its front margin, and (2) a cup-shaped liner which is formed of liquid or moisture resistant paper, fits within the carton pro-per and has the upper parts of its front, end and back walls extending beyond the upper marof front, end and backwalls of the carton proper and adapted to be folded inwards. More particularly the invention relates to that type of carton closing machine which is adapted to be used in connection with an automatic carton forming machine and an automatic filling machine, serves successively to close the cartons after filling thereof by the filling machine and operates to close each carton by first folding inwards and downwards the upper part of the front wall of the liner, then folding inwards and downwards the upper parts of the liner end walls and the flaps at the upper margins of the end Walls of the carton proper and finally folding inwards and downwards the upper part of the liner back wall and the cover and at the same time inserting the tongue on the front margin of the cover between the upper margin of the front wall of the carton proper and the adjacent portion of the front wall of the liner.

One object of the invention is to provide a carton closing machine of this type which is an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over, previously designed machines for the same purpose and is characterized by high speed operation, simplicity of design, and a minimum number of operating parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton closing machine of the type under consideration which is entirely automatic and includes as parts thereof: a horizontally elongated frame structure with a flat top; mechanism adapted to feed the cartons successively and longitudinally over the top, and consisting of a horizontally extending endless belt which is adapted successively to receive the cartons from the filling machine and has the discharge end of the upper or operative reach thereof terminating directly inwards of the receiving end of the top and a roller chain type conveyor which pusher head which operates automatically and successively to shift the cartons laterally from the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt over the receiving end of the upper reach of the finger equipped roller chain type conveyor. i

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a carton closing machine of the type and character under consideration, of the following parts which operate in timed relation with the pusher head each time the pusher head slides a carton over the receiving end of the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor: (1) a m-ovably mounted side tucker which operates to fold inwards and downwards the upper part of the front wall of the paper liner; (2) a movably mounted end tucker which operates during rotation of the side tucker to fold inwards and downwards the flap on the trailing end wall of the carton proper and the upper part of the ad- 'jacent end wall of the paper liner; and (3) a movably mounted folder member which operates simultaneously with the side tucker to fold the tongue into a positionwherein it extends at substantially right angles to the cover of the carton proper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton closing machine of the type and character under consideration wherein the endless belt constituting a part of the carton feeding mechanism is driven at a greater rate of speed than the roller chain type conveyor, the latter has its fingers for -arton pushing purposes spaced apart a materially greater distance than the length of a carton, and the pusher head is so operated that in connection with a carton pushing operation it pushes the carton over the receiving end of the upper reach of the roller chain conveyor so that it is positioned an appreciable distance ahead of the next following finger on such conveyor to the end that the pushed carton remains momentarily stationary at the time the side tucker, the end tucker and the tongue folder member are rendered operative,i. e., are brought into their operative positions.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a carton closing machine of the aforementioned character of a latch device which serves to hold the pusher head, the side tucker and the tongue folder member against movement into their operative positions until a carton on the upper reach of the endless belt reaches the discharge end of such reach.

Another object of the invention is the provision in connection with a carton closing machine of the type and character hereinbefore recited, of the following additional operating parts: (1) a fixedly mounted end tucker which is positioned in opposed relation with the movably mounted end tucker and operates in connection with initial movement of a carton by the roller chain type conveyor and after operation of the side tucker, the movably mounted end tucker and the tongue folder member, to fold inwards and downwards the flap on the leading end wall of the carton proper and the upper part of the adjacent end wall of the liner; (2) a stationary cover and tongue positioner and a stationary a cover guide which overlie the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor at a point rearwards of the fixedly mounted end tucker and serve in connection with further movement of the carton by the conveyor partially to swing downwards the hinged cover of the carton proper; and (3) a cover closing member which is disposed directly adjacent the rear ends of the cover and tongue positioner and the cover guide, is pivoted to swing upwards and downwards about a horizontal axis and is controlled automatically so that after a carton emerges from said cover and tongue positioner and the cover guide it swings downwards and effects complete ClOSlIlg of the cover and insertion of the tongue between the upper margin of the front wall of the carton proper and the adjacent portion of the front wall of the liner.

Another object of the invention is to provide in connection with a carton closing machine of the last mentioned character, an advancer device which is located at one side of the rear ends of the cover and tongue positioner and the cover guide, is mounted to slide horizontally and also lengthwise of the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor and is controlled automatically in such manner that it operates to push a carton from the rear ends of said positioner and guide at a speed greater than the speed of drive of the conveyor to the end that the carton, after emerging from the rear ends of the cover and tongue positioner and the cover guide, will remain stationary at the time the pivoted cover closing member is swung downwards for cover closing and tongue inserting purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carton closing machine of the type and character under consideration in which all of the moving parts are operated or driven by a single prime mover in order that such parts operate in proper synohronism or timed relation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a carton closing machine which is generally of new and improved construction, may be manufactured and operated at a comparatively low cost, and possesses high efncienoy.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present carton closing machine will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a carton closing machine embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear end elevation;

Figure 3 is a side elevation illustrating in detail the electric motor which constitutes the prime mover for the machine and serves to drive or operate in proper timed relation the various movable operating parts of the machine;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 44 of Figure 3 and showing the take-up sprocket for the finger equipped roller chain type conveyor;

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Figure 3 and showing the pulley at the discharge end of the endless belt and another sprocket for the roller chain type conveyor;

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 5-4 of Figure 3 and illustrating in detail the mechanism for operating the slidably mounted device for advancing the cartons with respect to the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor so that they are momentarily at rest under the pivotally mounted cover closing member and also the mechanism for automatically swinging the cover closing member downwards and upwards in timed relation with the carton advancer device;

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 'l-l of Figure 3 and showing in detail the arms which serve movably to support the pusher head, the side tucker, the tongue folder member, and the end tucker that serves to fold inwards and downwards the flaps on the trailing end walls of the cartons;

Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 88 of Figure 3 and illustrating in detail the manner in which the arm for the pusher head and the arm for the side tucker and the tongue ClOSillgmember are pivotally mounted;

Figure 9 is a horizontal section on the line 9- of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, showing the pusher head in its retracted position, i. e., before it is swung or shifted in the direction of the roller chain type conveyor;

Figure 11 is a side View of the latch device for retaining the pusher head, the side tucker and the tongue folder member in their retracted position until a carton reaches the discharge end of the endless belt;

Figures 12 and 13 are, respectively, vertical longitudinal and plan sections of the latch device;

Figure 14 is a view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, showing the pusher head, the side tuckerand the tongue folder member after they are swung or shifted into their operative positions;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective ofthe aforementioned latch device;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary perspective showing an open carton after it has been pushed over the receiving end of the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor by the pusher head but be fore completion of the operating or swing type stroke of the side tucker;

Figure 17 is a view showing the carton of Figure 16 after completion 'of of the side tucker;

the operating 'stroke Figure 18 is a vertical transverse section of an open carton;

Figure 19 is a vertical transverse section showing the manner in which the pusher head operates to shift a carton laterally from the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt over the receiving end of the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor,'the manner in which the side tucker operates to fold inwards and down wards the upper part of the front wall of the paper liner and the manner in which the tongue folding member serves to foldthe tongue with respect to the cover of the carton being closed in connectionwith operation-of the machine;

Figure 20 is a vertical longitudinal section showingthe manner in which the'movably mounted end tucker serveswhen shifted into its operative position and while thecarton being closed is momentarily at rest over the receiving end of the conveyor, "to fold inwards and-down wards the nap on the trailing end wall of the car'- ton and also the upper part of the adjacent end wall of the liner;

Figure 21 is a view like Figure 20 except that it shows the carton after it has been initially advanced by the roller chain type conveyor to the point where the fixedly mounted end tucker is operative to fold inwards and downwards thefiap on the leading end Wall of the carton and'also the upper part of the adjacent end wall of the liner;

Figure 22 is a plan view illustrating in detail the constructionand design of the advancer device that is disposed adjacent the rear ends of the cover and tongue positioner and the cover guide;

Figure 23 is a vertical transverse section show ing a carton after it has been advanced with respect to the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor by the advancer device and before downward swinging of the coverclosing member;

Figure 24 is a similar vertical transverse section like Figure 23 except that it shows the cover closing member after it has been swung down-' wards in order to eifect complete closing of the cover of the carton proper and insertion of the tongue between the upper margin of the'fro'nt wall of the carton proper and the adjacent "por-" tion of the front wall of the liner,"

Figure 25 is a perspective showing a carton are filled, one at a time, by the aforementioned filling machine. The cartons which are adapted to be closed successively and automatically by the present machine are conventional. They are used principally in merchandising lard, vegetable compound, shortening or any like congealable substance and, as best shown in Figures 18, 20, 21, 25 and 26 of the drawings, are of the type that comprises a carton proper C anda cup shaped liner L. The carton proper is formed of waxed comparatively stiff cardboard or like material and consists of a bottom walla; a front wall-=01, a back wall 0 a pair of end walls c and a cover-caw The end walls extend between the side margin of n the front and back walls and have hinged flaps c I The cover 0 is hingedto the upper margin of the back wall 0 and em -:1

The liner- L is formed of any suitable flexible, liquid or moisture resistant paper. It fits within the car-1. ton proper C and has the upper parts of its fronts; end and'back walls extending beyond the upper-s margins of the front, end and back wallsof thew carton proper and adaptedto be folded inwartls- It is contemplated that each carton to be closed by the closing machine will be filled by the fillin 1 machine while the coverc and flaps :0 o'ft'he carton proper and the upper parts of the'front, end and back walls of the liner L extend VET-F tically. It is also contemplated that each carton to be closed will reach the closing'znachine while at their upper margins.

bodies at its front margin a tongue 0 the cover 0 andthe tongue 0 are substantially coplanar. cartons are fed lengthwise and in the form of a simultaneously folding inwards and downwards the upper part of the adjacent liner end wall, then folding inwards and downwards the flap on the leading end wall of the carton proper and simultaneously folding inwards and downwards the upper part of the adjacent liner end wall and finally folding inwards and downwards the cover, and the upper :partof the liner back wall and at v the same time inserting the tongue on the front margin of the cover between the upper margin of the .frontwall of the carton proper and the adjacent portion of the front wall of the liner. The tongue 0 on the front margin of the cover is folded at substantially right angles to thecover during the time the upper part of the front wall of theiliner is folded inwards and downwards in connection with initial closing of the carton.

. As its main or principal components the clos- 1 mg -machine comprises a horizontally elongated frame structure 35 with a fiat horizontally extending top 3| mechanism 32 for feeding the cartons successively and longitudinally over the top 3 I, a movably mounted pusher head 33, a movably mounted. side tucker 34, a movably mounted tongue folder member 35, a movably mounted end tucker 36, a stationary end tucker 31, a stationary cover and tongue positioner 33, a stationary cover guide 3'9, a cover closing member 40, and 'anad A single prime mover in the vancer device 41. form' of a unidirectional electric motor 42, to-

gether with auxiliary mechanism, serves, in con-- nection with use of the carton closing machine;

to drive or actuate the various movable parts of the machine in such manner that they operatein .1

synchronism or timed relation.

Frame structure channel beams 45. The platform 44 is rectangw lar and has its corner portions suitably secured to the leg 43. It is positioned a comparatively small distance; above the.1ower ends of the leg'sw After filling by the filling machinet-he 1 7 and underlies and is spaced an appreciable distance beneath the top 3| constituting a part of the frame structure 30. The channel beams 45 extend lengthwise of the frame structure and are arranged so that the webs thereof extend vertically and their flanges extend inwards. The ends of the channel beams are suitably connected to the upper ends of the legs 43. The top 3| is rectangular and extends lengthwise of the frame structure. It is preferably formed of heavy gauge sheet metal and has the side margins thereof resting on, and suitably secured to, the upper inwardly extending flanges of the channel beams 45. The right hand end of the top 3|, as viewed in Figure 1 of the drawings, constitutes the receiving end of the top and the other or left hand end constitutes the discharge end of the top. The cartons to be closed are fed one at a time by the feed mechanism 32 so that they travel in a lengthwise manner longitudinally over the top 3|. At its discharge end the top 3| is provided with a laterally extending extension 46. After closing, the cartons are shifted laterally onto this extension in order that they may be collected preparatory to being placed in a shipping or other container. At its receiving end the top 31 is provided with an elongated longitudinally extending'cutout 41. This cutout has its front end open and extends rearwards a distance approximately onethird of the length of the top. It is positioned substantially midway between the side margins of the top. It is adapted to be aligned with the endless belt conveyor which forms a part of, and is adapted to effect successive feed of the cartons through, the aforementioned filling machine. I?

The top 3| (see Figures 7, 8, 19 and 24) is shaped to form beneath its top surface an open top, longitudinally extending channel 48. This channel is located at one side of the cutout 41 and extends from the receiving end of the top to the 2-! discharge end. It has in the bottom thereof a guide bar 49 and this terminates small distances inwards of the front and rear ends of the channel. The front end of the channel, 1. e., the end that is at the receiving end of the top 3|, is located adjacent the central portion of the cutout 41.

The platform 44 constituting a part of the frame structure serves to support the electric motor 42. The latter is located over the central portion of the platform and is fixedly secured to an elongated, substantially horizontal bed plate 55. The latter extends transversely of the frame structure and, as shcwn in Figure 6', has its inner end pivotally connected to a bracket 5| in order that it is capable of being swung upwards or downwards to a limited extent in order to effect vertical adjustment of the position of the electric motor 42. The distal end of the bed plate has associated with it an adjusting rod 52, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the distal end of the bed plate and the lower end of which extends through a hole in the platform, has a male screw thread and embodies nuts above and below the platform. The electric motor 42 is mounted on the bed plate so that the armature shaft thereof extends lengthwise of the frame structure 35. It is connected to drive a worm gear variety speed reducing unit 53 by way of a pulley and belt connection 54. The unit 53 is suspended from a plate 55 which extends between, and is suitably secured to, the bottom flanges of the channel beams 45 of the frame structure. As best shown in Figure 6 the worm gear variety speed reducing unit 52 is located beneath the central portion of the top 3| and rearwards and 8 7 above the electric motor 42. It embodies a driving shaft 55 and a driven shaft 51. The drivin shaft 56 extends lengthwise of the frame structure and at right angles to the driven shaft 51. The pulley and belt connection 54 comprises a pulley on one end of the armature shaft of the motor 42, a pulley on one end of the driving shaft 56 of the speed reducing unit 52 and an endless belt around the two pulleys. The driven shaft 51 extends transversely of the frame structure 30 and has exposed ends. The belt of the pulley and belt connection is rendered taut by swinging the motor 42 downwards by way of proper adjustment of the nuts on the lower end of the adjusting rod 52.

Carton feeding mechanism The feed mechanism 32 whereby the cartons that are to be closed are fed lengthwise over the top 3| from the receiving end of the latter to the discharge end consists of an endless belt 58 and an endless roller chain type conveyor 59.

The endless belt 58 extends around an idler pulley 6t and a driven pulley 6|. The idler pulley 60 is located adjacent the front or open end of the cutout 41 in the receiving end of the top 3| and is supported for rotation about a horizontal axis by way of a shaft 62 which underlies and extends crosswise of said front end of the cutout 3 and has its ends journalled in suitable bearing brackets 53. The latter are connected to, and depend from, the portions of the top 3| that are adjacent the front end of the cutout 41. The driven pulley 6| is located directly beneath the inner end of the cutout 41 in the top 3| and is fixedly secured to the central portion of a horizontally extending shaft 64. The latter extends transversely of the frame structure 30 and has its ends journalled in bearings which are suitably supported adjacent the bottom flanges of the channel beams 45. As hereinafter described the shaft 64 is driven continuously in response to drive or operation of the electric motor 42. The pulleys 5!] and GI serve to support the belt 58 so that the upper reach thereof extends horizontally and is disposed in, and lengthwise of, the cutout 41 in the top 3|. The upper reach on the endless belt is adapted to receive the cartons to be closed from the endless belt conveyor of the filling machine With which the CIOSiIlg machine is associated and serves successively or one at a time to feed the cartons from the front end of the cutout to the rear end of the cutout.

The cartons to be closed are guided along the front end and intermediate portion of the cutout during travel on the upper reach of the endless belt 53 by way of a pair of horizontally extending, laterally spaced guide bars 65. The latter extend lengthwise of the cutout and are supported in an elevated position with respect to the top 3| by way of posts 61 which are connected to, and project upwards from, the portions of the top that define the front end and intermediate portion of the cutout 41. The rear ends of the guide bars terminate forwards of the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt. The pulleys 5E) and 6| around which the endless belt 58 extends rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3. The belt serves successively to propel the cartons to be closed a small distance above the cutout 41 in the top ill of the frame structure.

The endless'roller chain type conveyor 59 is propelled or driven in the same direction as the endless belt and has a horizontal upper reach which is disposed in, and travels along, the longitudinally extending channel 48 in the top 3|. Such upper reach of the conveyor is supported for sliding movement within the channel by way of the guide bar 49 that is disposed in, and forms the bottom of, the channel 58. The front or receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor is disposed adjacent to, and in side by side relation with, the rear end of the upper reach of the endless belt 56 and is trained around an idler sprocket 5B. The other or rear end of the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor is trained around an idler sprocked 69. The idler sprocket B8 is located directly forwards of the front end of the guide bar 49 and is supported for rotation about a horizontal axis by way of an axle and suitable bearings. The idler sprocket $9 is located directly rearwards of the rear end of the guide bar 59 and is suitably supported for rotation about a horizontal axis. The endless ro1ler chain type conveyor extends downwards and inwards from the idler sprocket 63, then passes under and part way around a driven sprocket H1, then extends upwards and passes over and part Way around a take-up sprocket H, then extends downwards and under an idler sprocket l2, and then extends upwards and outwards and passes part way around the idler sprocket 6B. As shown in Figure 6, the driven sprocket if! is fixedly secured to the inner end of the driven shaft 51 of the worm gear variety speed reducing unit 53. The take-up sprocket H is rotatably mounted on one end of a horizontally extending stub axle. The other end of the stub axle is fixedly secured to one end of a horizontally elongated plate M- which is pivoted to swing vertically by way of a pivot pin 15. The latter extends loosely through a hole in the other end" of the plate Hi and is fixedly connected to a bracket 16 which depends from the horizontal plate 55 from which the speed reducing unit is suspended. The plate "M is urged in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3 by means of a horizontally extending rod H. The latter extends lengthwise of the frame structure 30 and has one end thereof pivotally connected to the plate M at a point above the pivot pin 15. The other end of the rod extends through a hole in a horizontally extending channel type crossbeam 18 and is provided rearwards of the crossbearn with a nut 19. A coil variety compression spring $8 is inter posed between the crossbeam i8 and the nut 7G and serves to urge the rod H rearwards Such urging on the part of the rod is transmitted to the plate M which, in turn, tends to swing the take-up sprocket ll upwards to the end that the endless roller chain variety conveyor is maintained taut at all times. 'The sprocket E2 is keyed or otherwise fixedly secured to the shaft M on which the driven pulley (ii for the endless belt 58 is mounted. In connection with drive or operation of the electric motor 42 the driven sprocket it on the driven shaft 5'! of the speed reducing unit 53 causes the roller chain type conveyor 59 to travel continuously in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3. Drive of such conveyor results in counterclockwise drive of the sprocket i2 and the latter, in turn, operates to drive in the same direction the pulley 5! through the medium of the shaft 64. The pulley 5!! is of greater diameter than the sprocket l2 and hence the upper reach of the endless belt 58 travels rearward-s at a greater rate of speed than the upper reach of the roller chain variety conveyor 56. Drive of the endless belt is continuous but, as heretofore mentioned, at a greater rate of speed than the conveyor 59.

Such conveyor is provided with a series of equidistantly spaced pusher variety fingers 8|. Such fingers extend outwards and operate in connection with travel in the upper reach of the conveyor 5% to push the the cartons lengthwise over the top 3| from a point adjacent the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor to a point adjacent the discharge end of such reach. As best shown in Figure 8, the fingers 84, when travelling in the upper reach of the conveyor 55%, are disposed above the channel 48 in the top at of the frame structure. The space between each two consecutive fingers 8| is materially greater than the length of each carton for reasons to be described more in detail hereafter. Preferably the space between each two consecutive fingers is onethird longer than the length of a carton. The take-up sprocket "H embodies a pair of diametrically opposite notches for accommodating the fingers 8! as the roller chain type conveyor travels around such sprocket.

As hereinbefore pointed out, when the electric motor 42 is in operation in connection with use of the carton closing machine the endless belt 58 w and the roller chain type conveyor 59 are driven continuously and in the same direction and the former, i. e., the endless belt, is driven at a greater rate of speed than the latter.

Pusher head, side tucker and tongue folder member The pusher head 33 is mounted by way of an upstanding arm 82 to swing back and forth transversely across the receiving end of the top 35 of the frame structure 30 and serves in connection with its operativestroke, to shift a carton from the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt 58 over the receiving end of the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor 59.

It is block-like in shape and at the end of its retractile stroke it is located on the side of the endless belt that is opposite the side adjacent which the conveyor 59 is located or disposed. The upstanding arm 82 is U-shaped in cross section and is arranged so that the side flanges thereof project outwards. The lower end of the arm 82 is suitably pivotally supported so that the arm as a whole is free to swing transversely of the frame structure 39. The upper end of the arm 82 extends through a transversely extending slot 2% in the receiving end of the top 3| and has welded to it at a point above the slot a crosspiece 84. The outer portion of the pusher head. 33 is bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to the crosspiece so that the pusher head is fixedly connected to the upper end of the arm 82. The inner end of the slot 83 terminates adjacent the rear end of the cutout A l in the receiving end of the top 3|. Inward swinging of the arm 82 imparts the operative stroke to the pusher head 33 and outward swinging of the arm imparts the retractile stroke to the pusher head. When the arm 82 swings inwards the pusher head 33 is first brought into abutment with the front wall 0 of the carton on the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt and then shifts the carton sidewise or laterally from the belt into a position wherein it overlies the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor 59. Inward and outward swinging of the arm 82 is effected by mechanism comprising a cam wheel 85, a cam roller 86, a cam roller supporting arm 8?, a link 83, an arm til, a rock shaft 9! and'an arm 9i. The cam wheel 85 is keyed or otherwise fixedly secured to the outer end of the driven shaft 5! of the speed reducing unit 53. The cam roller 86 is disposed over the cam wheel and rides on the periphery thereof. It is rotatably mounted on a stub axle at which is fixedly connected to the arm Bl at a point intermediate its ends. As shown in Figure 3 the arm til extends substantially horizontally and is disposed lengthwise of the frame structure til. It underlies the central portion of the top 3! and has the end thereof that is nearer the discharge end of the top pivotally connected to a bracket 93 in order that it is free to swing upwards and downwards. The bracket 93 is connected to, and depends from, the plate from which the speed reducing unit 53 is suspended. The link 88 is in the form of a turnbuckle and extends substantially vertically. The upper end of the link 88 is pivotally connected to the end of the arm 87 that is nearer the receiving end of the top 3! and the lower end of the link is pivotally connected to one end of the arm 39. The last mentioned arm extends substantially horizontaly and overlies the centralportion of the platform M. It is positioned transversely of the frame structure 30 and has its other end, i. e;, its inner end, fixedly connected to the central portion of the rock shaft Sit. Such rock shaft overlies, and extends lengthwise of, the platform 4 and has its ends journalled in bearings 9 The cam wheel revolves in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, and is so shaped that during each revolution of the driven shaft 5? of the speed reducing unit 53 it operates through the medium of the cam roller 86, first to raise and then to lower the arm 8'5. Bl operates through the medium of the link 88 and the arm 59, to rock the rock shaft in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 6 and 7, and lowering of the arm 81 operates through the medium of the link 38 and said arm 89, to rock the rock shaft iii? in a counterclockwise direction. A coil variety compression spring under the platform at serves to impart downward swinging movement to the link 88 and also to maintain the cam roller 86 in abutment with the periphery of the cam wheel 35. Such spring surrounds the lower end of a vertically extending slide rod tfi'and is interposed between the platform (id and a nut ill on the lower extremity of the slide rod. The slide rod extends slidably through a hole in the platform M1 and has its upper end attached to the distal end of the arm 89. During each complete revolution of the cam wheel the rock shaft 96.) is rocked first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

The arm at is positioned inwards of, and in opposed relation with, the lower end of the pusher head supporting arm 32 and extends substantially vertically. The lower end of the arm 9! is fixedly connected to the front end of the rock shaft tit and the upper end of said arm is operatively connected to the central portion of the arm as by a yielding spring type connec--' tion 98 (see Figures '7 and 9). Such connection comprises a substantially horizontal rod 99 and a coil variety compression spring Hit. The rod e9 extends transversely of the frame structure 39 and extends through an over-sized hole Edi in the upper end of the arm 9! in order that the rod and the arm are subject to relative sliding movement. The outer end of the rod 99 extends through a hole in the central portion of the web part of the upstanding arm 82 and is provided with a cross-piece H32 which abuts against the outer face of the web part and serves Raising of the arm 5 12 to anchor the outer end of the rod 99 to the central portion of the arm 82. The compression spring Hi9 surrounds the inner end of the rod st and has one end thereof in abutment with the upper end of the arm 9!. The other end of the spring I983 abuts against a nut H33 on the inner end extremity of the rod 99. The upstanding arm 91 swings clockwise and counter clockwise in response to rocking of the rock shaft 98. When the arm 9! is swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 7 and 8, and the arm 82 is free to impart the operative stroke to the pusher head the yielding spring type connection 93 between the upper end of the arm 9! and the central portion of the arm 82 causes the arm 82 to swing with the arm 9i and this results in the pusher head 33 swinging in the direction of the receiving end of the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor 53 and shifting a carton from the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt over the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor. When the upstanding arm iii is swung in a counter clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 7 and 8, after swinging inwards the upstanding arm 82, it operates through the medium of a pair of coacting lugs Hit and on the two arms to swing the arm 82 outwards and thus eifect the retractile stroke of the pusher head 33. The arm 82 is under control of a latch device I06 which, as described in detail hereafter, locks the arm 82 against inward swinging movement until such time as a carton to be closed reaches the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt 53 and is in position to be shifted over the receiving end of the conveyor 59. If the upstanding arm 22 is locked by the latch device I06 during clockwise swinging of the arm 9| the arm 9| swings relatively to the upstanding arm 82 due to operation of the yielding spring type connection 93. In connection with clockwise swinging of the arm 9| relatively to the arm 82 the spring I til forming a part of the connection 9B, is compressed as the upper endof the arm 8! slides inwards along the rod 99. The

cam wheel 35 is so arranged, designed or shaped 7 that it operates to raise the arm Bland resultantly to swing the arms 9| and 82 inwards at the precise time that one of the fingers 8| on the roller chain type conveyor 59 passes the rear portion of the pusher head. This results in the pusher head, in connection with its operative stroke, pushing a carton to be filled over the receiving end of the conveyor 59 and into a position wherein the carton is an appreciable distance ahead of the next following finger (see Figure 14). With this particular timing arrangement the laterally shifted carton is stationary for a short length of time, i. e., until said next following finger 8| moves into abutment with the trailing end wall of the carton proper and commences endwise pushing of the carton over and along the channel #38 in the top 3|. The period during which the laterally shifted carton is at rest over the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor 59 is suflicient to' permit complete retraction of the pusher head. In other words, before the carton is pushed rearwards by the next following finger 85 full retraction of the pusher head occurs.

The contour or shape or the cam wheel 85 is such that when it imparts the operative stroke to the pusher head 33 the pusher head starts at a comparatively slow rate of speed and then accelerates. This results in the pusher head being brought so slowly into engagement with the adjacent carton that the latter is not subjected to shock tending to effect spillage of the. contents of the carton The cam wheel 85 is also of such shape or contour that it imparts a relatively rapid retractile stroke to the pusher head 33.

The side. tucker 34 overlies the pusher head 33 and swings conjointly with the latter although its rate of speed and its distance of stroke. are greater. It is in the form of a fiat; substantially elliptical plate and operates immediately" after shift of a carton to be closed by the pusher head over the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor 59 and while the carton is at rest preparatory to being engaged by the next following finger 81- to fold inwards and downwards the upper part of the front wall of the liner of the carton. The outer portion of the side tucker embodies. an extension Iill' which is U-shaped in cross section and has its outer end fixed connected to the upper end of an upstanding arm N18. The latter is of U-shaped cross section and is arranged so that the side flanges thereof extend inwards. The lower ends of the inwardly extending side flanges of the upstanding arm Hi8 fit inside of the central portion of the outwardly extending side flanges of the upstanding arm 82,. as best shown in Figures 8 and 9. A horizontally extending pivot bolt Hi9 extends through aligned holes in the side flanges of the two" arms 82 and I08 and serves pivotally to connect the central. portion of the arm 32 to the lower central portion of the arm Ida. The lower extremity of the arm I03 terminates substantially midway between the pivot bolt I89 and.

the lower extremity of the upstanding arm 62 and is connected to a. horizontally extending eye bolt I I ii by a pair of substantially horizontal, parallel, laterally spaced links III (see Figure 8). a hole in av vertically extending plate H2 and is adiustably anchored in place by a pair of nuts H3 which are arranged in straddled relation with the plate. Said plate is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to a channel beam variety upright H4, the upper end of which is connected to one of the channel beams 5 and the lower end of which is connected to the adjacent side margin of the platform M. The outer ends of the links, IH are suitably pivotally connected to the eye of the adjacent bolt H0 and the inner ends of the links are suitably pivotally connected to the lower end of the upstanding arm I98. In view of the fact that the arms 32 and I88 are pivotally connected together by the pivot bolt use the arm I08 is caused to swing inwards and outwards with the arm 82. Because, however, the lower extremity of the arm Iii-I3 is pivotally supported and the pivotal arrangement for the lower extremity of the arm I08 is located an appreciable distance above the pivoted lower xtremity of the arm 52 the arm H38, in connection with either inward or out.- ward swinging of the arm 82, swings at a greater rate of speed and to a greater extent than the arm 82. The arrangement of the arms 8?. and I88 is such that when the pusher head 33 swings inwards during the operative stroke thereof and in connection with pushing or displacement of a carton on the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt over the receivingend of the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor 59 the side tucker 34 travels inwards beyond the pusher head 33 and while the carton is at rest over the receiving end of the upper The shank of the eye bolt extends through reachof the conveyor 59 effects the desired inwards and downward folding of the upper part of the front wall of the liner of the carton.

During the retractile stroke of the pusher head 33 the side tucker 34 moves outwards with the pusher head but travels at a greater rate of speed and to a further extent. By adjusting the nuts H3 on the shank of the eye bolt IIH the angular position of the arm I538 with respect to the arm 82 may be varied. The manner in which the side tucker 3 operates to effect inward and downward folding of the upper part of the front wall of the liner of a carton momentarily at rest over the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor 59 is illustrated in Figures l6, l7 and 19 of the drawings.

The tongue folder member 5.? overlies and swings inwards and outwards conjointly with the side tucker 34. It is in the form of a flat plate that is at least as long as the tongue on the cover of the carton proper and has a straight inner side edge. The latter is adapted during completion of the operative stroke of the tucker member 3 3, to coact with an angularly disposed plate I I5 and a groove I I t in a horizontally elongated block II I to effect the desired creasing andfolding of the tongue with respect to the cover of the carton proper oi the carton being closed. The outer portion of the folder member is provided with an elongated extension IIB which is of U-shaped cross section and has its outer end fixedly connected to the upper extremity of the upstanding arm I53. As best shown in Figures 7 and 8, the tongue folder 'member 35 projects inwards a comparatively small distance with respect to the side tucker 34. The horizontally elongated block H1 is fixedly supported by way of an angle bracket H9 and is positioned directly opposite the folder member 35. It is located on the side of the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor 59 that is opposite the side at which the pusher head 33, the side tucker 3d and the folder member are normally positioned. The angle bracket H9 embodies a horizontally extending leg which is bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to the top It! of the frame structure 3h. The bracket also embodies a vertically extending leg, to the upper end of which the block I I7 is bolted. A vertically extending plate I26) is connected to, and depends from, the lower portion of the block iii and forms a stop whereby a carton, in connection with lateral pushing or shift thereof by the pusher head 33, is brought to rest in proper position over the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor 59. The groove lid is of V-shaped cross section. It is formed in the inner face of the block II! at a point above the plate ills and is so positioned that it reaches the straight inner edge of the folder member 35 when such member reaches the end of its operative stroke (see Figure 19). The plate H5 overlies the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor 59 and extends upwards at a comparatively small angle with respect to the horizontal. The lower side margin of the plate H5 is welded to the surface of the biock lil that defines the upper portion of the groove H6. When a carton is momentarily at rest on the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor 59 after being pushed laterally, the straight inner edge of the folder member 35, during completion of the operative stroke of said member, enters the groove H6 in the block ill, as shown in Figure 19, and eifects creasing of the juncture of the tongue and cover of the carton. At the same time it also coacts with the angularly disposed plate H to fold the tongue downwards so that it extends at substantially right angles to the cover.

As soon as a carton to be closed reaches the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt 58 the two upstanding arms 82 and I08 swing inwards in the direction of the stop forming plate I28. In connection with inward swinging of the arm 82 the pusher head 33 slides the carton over the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt into a position wherein it rests on the receiving end of the top SI and directly overlies the receiving end of the upper reach of the roller chain type conveyor 59. Because of the spacing of the fingers and the manner in which the conveyor 59 is driven the pushed carton is spaced an appreciable distance ahead of the next followingpusher and hence momentarily remains stationary, as hereinbefore pointed out. As the pusher head 33 reaches the end of its operative stroke the side tucker 33 and the tongue folder member 35 swing inwards and over and beyond the pusher head. In connection with completion of the operative stroke of the side tucker 38 the latter folds inwards and downwards the upper part of the front wall of the liner of the carton and in connection with completion of the operative stroke of the folder member 35 such member, in conjunction with the angularly disposed plate I I5 and the groove IIG, creases and folds the tongue on the cover of the carton proper. Before the next following finger on the conveyor 59 moves into engagement with the trailing end wall of the carton proper the upstanding arms 82 and I88 swing outwards and efiect retraction of the pusher head, the side tucker and the tongue folder member.

The latch device I05 serves to lock the upstanding arms 82 and I08 against inward swinging movement until such time as a carton to be closed reaches the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt 58 and is positioned opposite the depending stop forming plate I20. It is mounted for the most part on the top 3I of the frame structure 30 directly rearwards of the slot 83 in which the upper ends of the arms 82 and I08 travel, and comprises a latch dog IZI and a coacting slidably mounted latch bolt I22. The dog I2I is bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to the arm I88 at a point directly beneath the side tucker 34. It projects outwards from the arm I08 and embodies a rearwardly extending and angularly disposed finger I23. The latch bolt I22 extends horizontally and also lengthwise or longitudinally of the top 3I. It is slidably mounted in a sleeve [24 on one end of an elongated plate I25 and'is so positioned that it is aligned with the latch dog I2I when the arm I03 is in its fully retracted position. The plate I25 extends transversely of the frame structure 30 and is clamped by bolts against the top surface of the top 3I. The front end of the latch bolt I22 is provided with an angularly disposed finger I26 and this finger is adapted, when the latch bolt is slid forwards, to interlock with the finger I23 on the latch dog IZI and thus render the latch device I88 operative to lock the upstanding arms 82 and I08 against inward swinging movement in response to clockwise swinging of the arm 8|. When the latch bolt I 22 is slid rearwards disengagement of the finger I26 with respect to the finger 16 I23 is effected and the latch device I06 is thus rendered ineffective and permits inward swinging of the arms 82 and I08. The fingers I23 and I28 are so angularly positioned and designed that when the latch bolt I22 is slid forwards while the arm I08 approaches the end of outward swing thereof in connection with retraction of the side tucker and the tongue folder member the finger I23 on the latch dog snaps into interlocked relation with the finger I26 on the adjacent end of the slidably mounted latch bolt I22. The latch bolt I22 is urged forwards into its locked position by way of a wire spring I22.

The latter consists of an end part I28, an end part I29 and a looped intermediate part I38. The two end parts I28 and I28 extend horizontally and are positioned at substantially right angles to one another. The end part I28 extends transversely of the top 3| and is arranged so that the outer extremity thereof extends through a transverse hole I3I in the rear end of the latch bolt I22. The other end part of the wire spring I2! extends lengthwise of the top 3I and is clamped to the inner end of the plate I 25 by a clamping member I32. The looped intermediate part I30 of the spring I2! is so constructed or designed that it urges forwards the spring end part I28 which, in turn, urges forward the latch bolt I22. The latch device I06 also comprises means for sliding the latch bolt I22 rearwards against the force of the spring I2'I when a carton to be closed reaches the dis charge end of the upper reach of the endless belt 58. Such means consists of a horizontally extending rock shaft I33, an abutment finger I34 and an arm I35. The rock shaft I33 is suitably journalled at its ends and extends transversely of the top 3I. It is located above and directly behind the plate I25 and has its inner end positioned over the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt. The abutment finger I34 is connected to, and depends from, the inner end of the rock shaft and has its lower portion bent forwards at right angles so as to form directly above the upper reach of the belt a forwardly extending member I36 for engaging the leading end wall of the carton proper of a carton on the discharge end of the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt. When a carton, after reaching the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt, strikes against the member I36, it causes the abutment finger I34 to swing rearwards and results in the rock shaft I33 rocking in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 11 and 15. The arm I is fixedly connected to, and depends from, the outer end of the rock shaft I33 and has in its lower end a longitudinally extending slot I31 through which extends the end part I28 of the wire spring I21. In connection wth clockwise turning or rocking of'the rock shaft I33 the arm I35 swings rearwards and operates through the medium of the end part I28 of the spring I2"! to slide the latch bolt I22'rearwa'rds into its inoperative or unlatched position. As soon as a carton is shifted laterally by the pusher head 33 from the discharge end of the upper reach of the endless belt 58 the end part I28 of the wire spring I 21 swings forwards and results in forward sliding of the latch bolt I22 into its operative position and forward swinging of the abutment finger I34. Rearward swinging of the abutment finger I 34 is limited by means of an upstanding lug I38 on the inner end of the carton engaging member I36. Due to the angu- 17 lar position or arrangement of the coacting finers I23 and I29 the latch bolt I22 cannot be slid into its released or inoperative position by engagement of a carton with the member I35 on the depending abutment finger I34 until such time as the arm 9I is swung fully outwards by the main rock shaft 99. When the arm 9I is swung outwards to its fullest extent it moves the upstanding arm I98 outwards a sufficient distance to disengage the finger I23 on the latch dog I2I from the finger I29 on the front end of the latch bolt I22. If at the time of disengagement of the finger I23 from the coacting finger I29 there is a carton pressing against the member I35 of the abutment finger I34 the abutment finger is caused to swing rearwards by the pressure or force of the adjacent carton and operates through the medium of the rock shaft 533, the depending arm I35 and the spring end part I23, to slide the latch bolt I22 rearwards into its inoperative position. Upon such sliding movement of the latch bolt the arms 92 and I99, in connection with the next inward swinging movement of the arm 9|, swing inwards and impart the operative strokes to the pusher head 33, the side tucker 34 and the tongue folder member as hereinbefore pointed out. Should a carton impinge against the member I36 of the abutment finger I34 after the arm 9| starts swinging inwards the latch bolt I22 will remain in its latched or operative position and hold retracted the arms 92 and I98 until such time as the arm 95 is swung fully outwards in connection with retraction thereof by reverse rocking of the rock shaft 99. The latch device I95 constitutes or exemplifies simple automatic means for holding the pusher head, the side tucker and the tongue folding member against movement into their operative positions until such time as a carton on the upper reach of the endless belt reaches the discharge end of such reach and the arm 9! is swung outwards to its fullest extent.

Movably mounted end tucker I The mov-ably mounted end tucker 35 is positioned above the receiving end of the upper reach of the endless conveyor 59. It is in the form of an elongated flap strip and extends lengthwise of the top 3 I. A pivoted upstanding arm I39 serves to support the end tucker 35 so thatit is capable of swinging rearwards into an operative position and backwards into an inoperative position. When the end tucker 36 is swung rearwards into its operative position it functions to fold inwards and downwards the flap on the trailing end wall of the carton which is momentarily at rest over the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor 59 and also to fold inwards and downwards the upper part of the adjacent end wall of the liner of the carton, as best shown in Figure 20 of the drawings. The movable end tucker 36 is controlled in such manner that it is disposed forwards in its inoperative position at the time the pusher head 33, the side tucker 34 and the tongue folder member 35 reach the ends of their operative strokes, and begins to move rearwards toward its operative position as soon as the pusher head, the side tucker and the tongue folder member commence their retractile strokes. In other words, the movably mounted end tucker 36 commences to move rearwards intoits operative position at the time the pusher head, the side tucker and the tongue folder member commence to recede. As. soon as the three last mentioned parts start to recede but while the side tucker 34 is still 18 operative to hold in its folded position the upper part of the front of the liner the movably mounted end tucker 36 swings quickly into its complete operative position in order to effect downward folding of the flap on the trailing end Wall of the carton and the upper part of the adjacent end wall of the carton liner. The timing or speed of travel of the movably mounted end tucker during its retractile stroke-is such that the end tucker is clear of the succeeding or next following carton at the time the latter is moved laterally by the pusher head 33 onto the receiving end of the upper reach of the conveyor 59. The lower end of the upstanding arm I39 is pivotally connected to a bracket I49 on the front end of the platform 44. The pivotal arrangement for the arm I39 is suchthat the arm is permitted to swing lengthwise of the frame structure 39. The upper end of the arm I39 extends through a notch MI in the top 3I and has the front end of the end tucker 39 fixedly secured to its upper extremity. The end tucker 36 is swung back and forth between its operative and inoperative positions by way of mechanism comprising a cam wheel I42, a cam roller I43, a depending arm I44 and a link I45. As shown in Figure 6, the cam wheel I42 is fixedly connected to the inner end of the driven shaft 51 of the worm gear variety speed reducing unit 53 and is located at one side of the sprocket I9 for driving the roller chain type conveyor 59. The cam roller I43 bears against the rear portion of the periphery of the cam wheel I42 and is rotatably mounted on a stub axle I49 on the central portion of the depending arm I44. The upper end of the arm I44 is pivotally connected to a bracket I41 in such manner that the arm I44 is free to swing lengthwise of the frame structure 39. As shown in Figure 6, the bracket I41 is connected to, and depends from the plate 55 from which the speed reducing unit 53 is suspended. The link I45 extends between and is pivotally connected to the lower end of the arm I44 and the central portion of the upstanding arm I39. The cam wheel I42 is so shaped that it operates in connection with each revolution thereof, to swing the depending arm I44 rearwards and then forwards. Rearward swinging movement on the part of the arm I44 operates, through the medium of the link I45 and the arm I39, to swing the end tucker I36 rearwards into its inoperative position. Forward swinging movement of the arm I44 operates, through the medium of said link I45 and thearm I39, to swing the end tucker'39 forwards into its operative position. A helical compression spring I49 serves to retract, i. e., swings forwards, the arms I39 and I44 and also to maintain the cam roller I43 in engagement withthe periphery of the cam wheel I42. This spring I48 extends horizontally and is operatively connected to the upstanding arm I39 by a horizontally extending rod I49. The latter is supported for longitudinally sliding movement by way of an angle bracket I59 which, as shown in Figure 3, embodies a vertically extending leg and a horizontally extending leg. The horizontally extending leg of thebracket I59 is fixedly connected to the front end of the platform 44. The centralportion of the rodI49 extends slidably through an ,oversized hole in the upper end of the vertically extending leg of the bracket I 59. The rear end of the rod I 491s pivotally connected to jthe upstanding arm I39 at} a point a substantial distance above the bracket I 49 and the front end of the rod is provided with a 

